Botim is a free app for calls, chats, and payments. People use it to make voice and video calls, send messages, and move money from one screen. This Botim app review explains what the app does, how it works, what it costs, and where it falls short. I built this review from the official Google Play and App Store listings and from what real users say in their reviews.
Botim App Review
Botim is a good choice if you live in the UAE or call family there often. Calls sound clear on a stable connection, and the money tools save time. But the app is heavy, the free plan shows ads, and many users report bugs and slow support. If you only need basic chat and calls outside the UAE, other apps may fit you better.
My rating: 3.8 out of 5
Quick facts:
- Developer: Algento (Dubai-based company)
- Price: Free, with in-app purchases
- Google Play rating: About 4.2, from more than 1.2 million reviews
- App Store rating: 4.3, from 52,000 ratings
- Downloads on Google Play: 100M+
- iPhone app size: About 562 MB (needs iOS 16 or later)
- Languages: English plus 31 more
- Money features: Available in the UAE only
What Is Botim?
Botim started as a calling and messaging app. Today, the developer calls it an all-in-one app to “connect, pay, and explore.” You can chat, call, pay bills, top up your phone, and send money without leaving the app.
The app sits in the Communication category on Google Play and the Social Networking category on the App Store. Its tagline is simple: secure, seamless, and simplified.
How Does Botim Work?
Botim works like most messaging apps. It uses your phone number as your account. Here is the basic flow:
- Download the app. Get it from Google Play or the App Store.
- Enter your phone number. Botim sends you a code to confirm it.
- Allow contacts. The app finds friends who already use Botim.
- Start a chat or call. Tap a contact, then choose chat, voice call, or video call.
- Open the money tab. If you live in the UAE, you can set up your wallet and start paying.
Calls and chats run over the internet. So you need Wi-Fi or mobile data. The app says it stays reliable even on low bandwidth, which helps when your signal is weak.
Botim Features: What the App Does
Calling
Calling is the heart of Botim. The app offers HD voice and video calls. It also adds AI filters and effects, call-hold, and picture-in-picture mode. Picture-in-picture lets you keep talking while you use another app. Newer updates added redesigned call controls, personal filters, and one-tap redial.
In my view, call hold and redial are small touches that make daily use easier.
Chat
The chat screen is clean and easy to learn. You can send messages, reply to locations and contacts, and chat in groups. Botim also offers real-time AI translation, so you can talk with someone who speaks another language. The latest versions let you split a bill inside a group chat with one tap, and you can share mini programs with friends.
Botim Money
This is the feature that sets Botim apart from WhatsApp or Viber. Botim Money lets you:
- Send money locally and abroad
- Top up your wallet right away
- Get a multi-currency prepaid card
- Pay bills and recharge your mobile
- Use an Instalment Card to pay over time
- Split payments across several people
The app shows Aani fees before you confirm a transfer, which helps you avoid surprise costs. Remember one key point: the App Store listing says these financial services work only in the UAE.
AI Companion
Botim also includes an AI assistant that works by voice or chat. It helps with calls, messages, and money transfers, and it supports many languages. I see this as a nice extra. It will not decide whether you keep the app, but it can save a few taps.
Personal Homepage
The home screen changes based on your habits and your location. You get quick access to the services you use most.
Botim Pricing: Is It Really Free?
Botim is free to download and use for calls and chats. But the free version shows ads. To remove them, you can buy Botim VIP. These are the prices on the US App Store:
| Plan | Price |
| Botim VIP (monthly) | $1.49 |
| Botim VIP (yearly) | $12.99 |
| Botim Family Bundle (monthly) | $3.99 |
The app also sells in-app “Diamonds” from $0.99 to $49.99. Prices change by region and currency, so check the final price in the app before you pay. VIP renews on its own until you cancel it. You can turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID settings or in your Google Play subscriptions.
Botim Pros and Cons
What I Like
- Clear HD voice and video calls on a good connection
- Calls work on weak networks better than many apps
- Money, bills, and chat live in one place
- AI translation helps with mixed-language chats
- Support for 32 languages
- Regular updates, with new versions every few weeks
What I Don’t Like
- The iPhone app is large, at about 562 MB
- The free plan shows ads
- Money features work only in the UAE
- Some users report dropped calls and “reconnecting” messages
- Some users say customer support replies slowly
What Real Users Say
User reviews give a mixed picture. Many people love Botim for staying in touch with family in the UAE. One App Store user wrote that it helped them talk to their parents with ease. That story is common.
But the complaints are just as clear. Google Play reviewers mention heavy ads, missing contacts, and calls that do not ring. A 2025 App Store review says calls drop with a “bad signal” message even when both sides have strong internet. Another user says they sent many emails to support and got no human answer. A third complains that they cannot move their chats to a new phone, and that the app has no backup tied to a phone number or email.
The developer replies to these reviews and points users to its email and social pages. Reviews alone cannot prove how every phone behaves. Still, the pattern is worth knowing before you rely on the app for important calls or money.
Is Botim Safe?
The Google Play listing says Botim encrypts data in transit and lets you ask for your data to be deleted. That is a good sign.
However, both stores show broad data collection. Google Play says the app may share location and financial info with third parties. It may also collect personal info and more. The App Store says the app may collect your contacts, phone number, payment info, location, and device ID. It also says some identifiers may be used to track you across other companies’ apps and sites.
That is normal for an app with ads and payments, but it is a lot of data. Here is how I would protect myself:
- Read the privacy policy before you sign up
- Share only the permissions you need
- Turn off ad personalization in your phone settings
- Use a strong lock on your phone and your wallet
- Be careful with big money transfers, and test with a small amount first
Who Should Use Botim?
Botim is a good fit if you:
- Live in the UAE and want calls and payments in one app
- Call family or friends in the UAE often
- Like AI translation and handy extras
- Don’t mind seeing ads, or you plan to buy VIP
Botim may not suit you if you:
- Need a light app for an old phone
- Want a clean, ad-free app without paying
- Need money features outside the UAE
- Need easy chat backup when you change phones
Botim Alternatives
Both stores list other apps in the same space. If Botim does not fit, look at these:
- WhatsApp: Huge user base, simple, and trusted by many
- Viber: Good calls and chats, rated about 4.1 on Google Play
- imo: Light video calling
- BiP: A messenger with calls and chats
- Comera and GoChat: Smaller calling and chat apps
None of them copy Botim’s money tools exactly, so the right pick depends on what you need most.
Final Verdict
Botim does a lot in one app. The calls are good, the chat is easy, and the UAE money tools are a real bonus. Millions of people use it, and the developer keeps adding features.
But it is not perfect. The ads, the app size, the bugs reported by users, and the slow support hold it back. My advice: install it, test calls with a few contacts, and try the money features with a small amount. If it works well for you, keep it. If you see constant reconnecting, switch to a simpler app.
FAQs
Is Botim free to use?
Yes. You can download Botim for free and use calls and chats at no cost. The free version shows ads. Botim VIP removes them and costs about $1.49 a month or $12.99 a year in the US.
Is Botim safe to use?
Botim encrypts data in transit, and you can ask the company to delete your data. But the app collects a lot of data, including contacts and location. Read the privacy policy and limit your permissions.
Does Botim work outside the UAE?
The app is listed in many app stores worldwide, so calls and chats may work in your country. Check your own app store. The money features work only in the UAE.
What is Botim Money?
Botim Money is the payment part of the app. It lets you send money, top up a wallet, pay bills, recharge your phone, and get a prepaid card.
Why does Botim show ads?
The free plan uses ads to earn money. If you buy Botim VIP, you get an ad-free experience.
Is Botim better than WhatsApp?
It depends on your needs. WhatsApp is simpler and more popular. Botim adds payments and AI tools, which makes it better for people in the UAE.
